Brazil glyphosate imports fall 21% as Chinese market shows signs of transition

Brazil’s glyphosate imports declined sharply during the first four months of 2026, reflecting a more cautious purchasing environment and evolving dynamics across the global crop protection supply chain. At the same time, new market data from China suggests growing competitive pressures among agrochemical manufacturers, a trend that could influence pricing and trade flows in the months ahead.

According to market intelligence firm AMR Business Intelligence, Brazil imported 39,100 metric tons of glyphosate between January and April 2026, a decrease of 21.2% compared with the same period in 2025. Despite the reduction in volume, sourcing remained highly concentrated, with China accounting for 82% of shipments and the United States supplying the remaining 18%.

The decline comes as Brazilian growers continue to face tighter margins and carefully manage input purchases ahead of the next planting season. Glyphosate remains the country’s most widely used herbicide, particularly in soybean, corn and cotton production systems.

Meanwhile, developments in China—the world’s largest producer and exporter of crop protection active ingredients—indicate that market conditions are gradually shifting after a prolonged period of volatility.

According to an analysis by Sebastian Camba, the Chinese crop protection sector entered May showing clearer signs of transition following months marked by uncertainty, price fluctuations and supply-chain disruptions.

In the herbicide segment, glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium prices have remained relatively firm due to ongoing contractual demands and active long-term supply agreements. However, upstream cost support is beginning to weaken, while product availability is gradually normalizing.

Other herbicide groups, including sulfonylureas, acid amides, and certain triazines, have shown softer market behavior amid elevated inventories and slower order activity. In insecticides, Chinese suppliers have moved into a more rational correction phase after prices reached historically high levels earlier this year. Traders are increasingly prioritizing liquidity and inventory reductions, while competition among suppliers continues to intensify.

The fungicide market is also undergoing consolidation. Seasonal demand continues to provide some support, but aggressive competition among manufacturers and traders is creating significant pricing dispersion across the sector.

Market indicators highlighted by Camba point to increasing pressure on margins, weaker spot-market activity, medium-to-high inventory levels at factories, softer raw material costs and growing difficulties in sustaining elevated price levels.

For Brazil, these developments could eventually create a more favorable purchasing environment for crop protection products if competitive pressure among Chinese suppliers continues to build. However, the resilience of glyphosate and glufosinate pricing suggests that demand for key herbicides remains relatively strong, despite broader market adjustments.

As China remains the dominant source of agrochemical active ingredients for Brazilian agriculture, the interaction between domestic demands, global inventories and Chinese manufacturing economics will continue to shape input costs for growers across Latin America throughout 2026.